More optimism in Nitrogen market


By Roger Chesher


THE early buyers nitrogen market is undoubtedly very active at present, more so than has been experienced for many months.


This has injected a little optimism into the marketplace and encouraged liquid nitrogen buyers to request prices to fill their tanks in anticipation of a higher spring price to come.


Tank fill will be around 120/t cash for 37%N on a W/V basis.


It is still perhaps a week or so too early for a September price for solid ammonium nitrate to be published.


Assuming the majors wish to go into October with a 4/t hike, which is logical, it would seem sensible to split this, 2/t in September, 2/t in October.


PK prices, indeed all prices, are unchanged at present. The PK market is still rather slow, with some pundits questioning if farmers are tempted to have a PK holiday for a second year.


Agronomically this would not be a good idea and the most likely explanation would be another just in time spot market.


Agronomy is playing a significant part in the storage market, as interest in Sulphur is very strong.


Selenium is also creating interest in specialist livestock grazing areas. The mid-season grass market is slowing and new prices are anticipated in October.


CURRENT PRICES


















New-season nitrogen (SP5) 34.5%

September domestic nitrogen

Imported urea (if available)

Imported AN

Blended 20.10.10 and 25.0.16

Blended 25.5.5
Liquid nitrogen, 37kg/100l or 29.6% N/t


August 110-112


112-114


Granular 115-120

88 ex-dock
94-98 delivered

113-115

107-113

120



















NPK

August, pay cash

NS products

Complex 25.5.5

112-118

110-112

15.15.20

No market


20.10.10/29.5.5

118-120


17.17.17

No market













After-cut NK cash

0.24.24

TSP (47% P2O5) bagged

Muriate of Potash (60% K2O) bagged

118

110-114

125

122

 

IRELAND

Forecast prices
















 
Urea

CAN


24.6.12


0.16.36


Complex compounds
27.6.6


Northern Ireland

No market

110

130-135

No market

130















 

CAN


24.21/2.10


Urea, imported


27.21/2.5


Republic of Ireland*

140-145

175

No market

170-175

*Note in the Republic of Ireland nutrients are expressed as elements not oxides. Analyses will not be directly comparable with those used in the UK.

*Prices in the Republic are IR

  • IR1=UK78.55p; US$1=UK70.62p on 8 August

     

    Note All illustrated prices are based on 24-tonne loads for immediate payment. Prices for smaller loads and those with credit terms will vary considerably.

    Source: Bridgewater Partnership

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